EATONVILLE, Fla. — Eatonville residents are pushing for solutions to protect and preserve future development in the town.

What You Need To Know

  • Julian Johnson, founder and CEO of 1887 First, is one of several Eatonville residents with hopes to preserve the Hungerford Property

  • The property once housed the Hungerford School, which was founded as a private school in 1899

  • The property was acquired by Orange County Public Schools in 1951

  • The organization says a community benefit agreement would be a step in the right direction in protecting the towns land

Spectrum News 13 spoke with the founder of an organization that is looking to create a community benefit agreement that would set an ordinance in place for new development.

An Orange County judge is considering a motion to dismiss a lawsuit over land development proposals on the Hungerford Property in Eatonville.

In the town where he grew up in, Julian Johnson stops in one of his favorite restaurants to connect with his community.

“Our goal is to build that unity inside the community and that’s what we did,” said Johnson, 1887 First founder and CEO.

Being the first black incorporated town in America, Johnson says Eatonville is special to him and is the reason why he started 1887 First, an organization with hopes to see the town grow in the right direction.

Situated between the hustle and bustle of two cities, Orlando and Winter Park, Johnson said resources and activities are limited for Eatonville.

“There’s no more gym — the gym was with the school, they tore that down when they tore the school down,” he said.

Johnson is referring to the Hungerford Property which once housed the Hungerford School. It was founded as a private school in 1899 and is now going through a legal battle. The Orange County school board acquired the property in 1951.

1887 First is no 9-to-5 for Johnson as he spends most nights throughout the week networking and talking to Eatonville residents on how to grow the town they all love.

“We should now be able to thrive because everyone knows about us one way or another, said N.Y. Nathiri, executive director of the Association to Preserve the Eatonville Community.

Johnson said they are now looking for solutions. This includes a community benefit agreement, which would require developers to meet with community groups to discuss their developmental plans. He said this is just the first step in protecting Eatonville’s land.

Johnson said there’s a long road ahead when it comes to the economic growth in Eatonville but he’s dedicated to the process and keeping Eatonville first.